Stealth

Stealth in Skyrim can be handy for a number of things. You can sneak past enemies, gain added damage from stealth strikes, steal items without getting caught, and basically get away with things you would not normally.

Stealth Indicator

You can toggle sneaking by a button click (this varies for different platforms -- so, check your controls menu). When crouched, your state of detection is as follows:

Eye Fully Open - You have been detected by NPCs. If they are hostile, you are attacked.

Eye Half Closed - You are in danger of being detected. Actions which will draw attention will result in full detection.

Horizontal Line - When the sneaking indicator is completely closed, you are completely hidden.

Sneaking Tips

A great number of things determine how easy or difficult it is to detect you. Of course, your Sneak skill is a major component, but here are a few other variables:

Darkness - You are harder to detect in dark areas.

Line of Sight - If you are in plain sight, you will be detected. If enemies cannot see you, they have a harder time to locate you. Running through brightly lit corridors, flashy spells, and obvious movement will draw unwanted attention. Keep to the dark, drop your spell-hand, have an object between you and the targets, and patiently creep around.

Movement - You are hardest to detect whilst motionless; and easiest to detect when running at full tilt. Similarly, the heavier your armor the more audible your movements.

Weapons - Two-handed weapons draw the most attention, to be followed by one-handed weapons. Small weapons, such as daggers, and bows are treated as being completely silent -- until they strike something.

Backstab - When making a stealth attack on an enemy, your weapon does extra damage, modified by unlocked character perks.

Actions Make Noise - Some actions, like arrow impacts or traps, are designed to make noise to alert enemies. Jumping, drawing your weapon, clanging armor, and even knocking random junk items around can alert them to your presence. Watch your step, don't jump, and draw your weapon early.

NOTE:Noise may be used to distract enemies or lead them away from your position in order to maintain stealth. For instance, shoot an arrow at a wall close to your target but far away from you and the enemy will investigate the noise--allowing time to leave or continue shooting.

Magic - Casting spells produces both light and sound, making it almost impossible to sneak with magic. However, if you gain the "Quiet Casting' perk of the illusion skill tree, you should be able fire off spells without getting detected immediately.

If you're going through a door that initiates a loading screen. make sure you enter Sneak mode before passing through. You can't tell what's on the other side, even with a Detect Life spell, and you don't want to alert everyone to your presence before you even realize that you're out of the loading screen.